As the Australia Day celebrations subside, The Australian Ballet are busy preparing for its London performances in July 2016, with Graeme Murphy’s Swan Lake on the bill from 13–16 July and Alexei Ratmansky’s Cinderella from 20–23 July at the London Coliseum. Under the artistic helm of David McAllister, The Australian Ballet was last seen in the UK in 2008, and 2016 will see a thrilling two-week season of ballet following sell-out performances around the world.
Both productions to be presented have become signature works for the company, remaining true to tradition whilst daring to be different. With choreographic challenges and multi-layered characters, the company drives the storytelling. Murphy’s critically-acclaimed Swan Lake sees the tale unfolding with a contemporary twist, produced to mark the company’s 40th anniversary in 2002. Odette is betrothed to Prince Siegfried, but she is apprehensive about his relationship with Baroness von Rothbart. Odette is committed to a sanatorium where she finds comfort and escape amongst white swans in a frozen dream world.
With an ever-developing repertoire, The Australian Ballet is known for producing new versions of the classics and inviting the finest contemporary choreographers to produce exciting new works. Ratmansky is one of the world’s most sought-after dance makers and his production of Cinderella for The Australian Ballet will be the first time it has performed in Europe. Commissioned by McAllister in 2013, Ratmansky’s Cinderella is re-imagined in 20th-century Russia and in an abandoned theatre. When Cinderella loses her slipper the Prince must embark on a world-wide journey to find his lost love, visiting many tempting lands before they are reunited.
Founded in 1962, The Australian Ballet prides itself on a commitment to artistic excellence, a spirited style and a willingness to take risks, defining the company both on and offstage. The company hosts 79 dancers, and presents over 250 shows and audience engagement events each year. It tours regularly overseas and has performed to critical acclaim around the world to cities including New York, Tokyo, London, Paris and Beijing.